The SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia is a uniform breast
pin worn by officers and enlisted sailors of the United States Navy's submarine
service who have completed strategic deterrent patrols in nuclear ballistic
missile submarines.

Design of the SSBN pin shows a silver Lafayette-class
submarine with superimposed Polaris missile and electron rings which signify
the armament and nuclear-powered characteristics of the Fleet Ballistic Missile
Deterrent Force.

A scroll beneath the submarine holds up to six service
stars, with one bronze star authorized for each successful patrol (after the
first, the pin being number one) or a silver star for five successful patrols.
At twenty (20) successful patrols, the SSBN pin is upgraded to a gold design.

After the insignia was approved, awards were made
retroactive to the first strategic deterrent patrol of USS George Washington
(SSBN-598) which was completed on 21 January 1961.

The strategic deterrent patrols of the Regulus missile
boats were not initially deemed worthy of this insignia, but this decision was
reversed in 2004.

The SSBN pin is worn on the left uniform pocket,
typically below award ribbons.The badge
is considered a "secondary insignia", meaning that the badge is worn
secondary to a primary warfare pin, such as the Submarine Warfare insignia.

Personnel eligible to wear other secondary submarine
insignias, such as the Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia or the Deep Submergence
Insignia, may only wear one such insignia at a time according to their personal
desire.